14 And Jacob set up a pillar in the place where he talked with him, even a pillar of stone: and he poured a drink offering thereon, and he poured oil thereon. 15 And Jacob called the name of the place where God spake with him, Bethel. 16 And they journeyed from Bethel; and there was but a little way to come to Ephrath: and Rachel travailed, and she had hard labour. 17 And it came to pass, when she was in hard labour, that the midwife said unto her, Fear not; thou shalt have this son also. 18 And it came to pass, as her soul was in departing, (for she died) that she called his name Benoni: but his father called him Benjamin. 19 And Rachel died, and was buried in the way to Ephrath, which is Bethlehem. 20 And Jacob set a pillar upon her grave: that is the pillar of Rachel's grave unto this day (Genesis 35:14-20).
Rachel’s death must have been devastating for Jacob. There is also a degree of irony in her death. She had such trouble getting pregnant at different times during her marriage; so it is tragic that she died during childbirth of Benjamin. But Jacob’s family was just like all others in that they had joy and sorry. The significance of the pillar that Jacob built was to give thanks to God. Jacob was thanking God for the life of Rachel.
Rachel’s death must have been devastating for Jacob. There is also a degree of irony in her death. She had such trouble getting pregnant at different times during her marriage; so it is tragic that she died during childbirth of Benjamin. But Jacob’s family was just like all others in that they had joy and sorry. The significance of the pillar that Jacob built was to give thanks to God. Jacob was thanking God for the life of Rachel.
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